Understanding Roots

Master Gardener Training

Feb. 11, 2015

Chuck Ingels

UC Cooperative Extension, Sacramento County

http://cesacramento.ucanr.edu

Acknowledgments/ Selected Information Sources

Larry Costello,

UCCE – SF &

San Mateo

(formerly)

Root Functions

● Absorption and transport

of water and nutrients

● Storage of starch and

nutrients

● Synthesis of hormones

● Anchorage

Anatomy of Young Roots

Emerging

lateral

root

Root

hairs

Root

cap

Root

hairs

Cell

elongation

Cell

division

Root cap

Root Cap

•Covers apical meristem

•Grouping of cells held

within slimy “mucigel”

•Protects & lubricates

root tip as it grows

•Cells slough off

Root Hairs

•Cells, not roots!

•Greatly increase root

surface area

•Very short lived

Nucleus

Root hair

Seed

Primary root

Root hairs

Root apex

•Region of soil that is directly influenced by root

secretions (exudates) and soil microbes

•Exudates include amino acids, sugars, & acids

•Functions of exudates:

Protect against pathogens

Obtain nutrients

Stabilize soil aggregates

The Rhizosphere

Source: Roots Demystified

Mycorrhizae (“Fungus-Roots”)

•Fungal infection of roots – symbiotic relationship

•Fungi – receive sugars; plants – nutrients & water

Mainly P, but also NH4+, NO3

-, and K+

•Poor growth without myc. where nutrients limited

•Lacking only in sedges & brassicas (cabbage fam.)

•Soil inoculation helpful only in poor/disturbed soils

•Two main types: Ecto- and endo-mycorrhizae

Mycorrhizal Fungi Ecto-Mycorrhizae

•Grow on trees in pine, oak,

beech, birch, and willow families

•Grow outside and between cells

of young roots

•Most important is vesicular-

arbuscular myc. (VAM)

•80% of plant species

•Most crops (monocots & dicots),

hardwoods, non-pine conifers

Mycorrhizal Fungi Endo-Mycorrhizae

• Infection directly

into root cells

Mycorrhizae

Poor growth of

forest trees without

mycorrhizae where

nutrients limited

Depth of Rooting (Majority of Roots)

Turf – 8 to 12 in.

Shrubs - Small – 1 ft.

- Large – 2 ft.

Trees - Small – 2 ft.

- Large – 3 ft.

Turf Root Depths

Source: Roots Demystified

Most water &

nutrients taken

from 8-12”

Vegetable Root Systems

Corn

Tomato

Pepper Caul. Carrot

Onion

•1-ft. increments

•Plants grown

individually in

good soil

Source: Roots Demystified

Fibrous Roots vs. Taproot

Barley

Fava bean Clover

Suckering from Raspberry Roots

Bamboo

root

barrier,

FOHC

2013

Tree Root Growth

Mimics Top

Growth

Tree Root Growth

NO!!

Mimics Top

Growth

More Typical Tree Root Growth

Actual Root Growth of Mature Trees

1. Tap

2. Oblique (Heart)

3. Lateral

4. Sinker

5. Fine

Types of Roots in Trees

Tap

root Oblique

root

Lateral

root Sinker

root Fine

roots

Types of Roots in Trees

Coast live oak (Q. agrifolia)

Year 1 Year 2

• First root to emerge from the

seed

• Rapid growth when young

• Other roots originate from it

• Many are <3 ft deep

1. Tap Root

Trunk

Lateral

roots

Original tap root

Live oak Generally, tap roots do not persist.

One study: Tap roots found in only

2% of 697 trees inspected

Lateral

Tap or

oblique? Oblique

root

2. Oblique (Heart) Roots

•Develop from the tap root or

shallow lateral roots

•Grow downward & outward

•Few fine roots

• Important role in anchorage

• Develop from tap root, form

network of long, untapered roots

similar to ropes

• Branching, many fine roots at ends

• Water absorption and anchorage

• With trunk tissues, form “trunk

flare” or root buttress

• Majority of root system of most

species

3. Lateral Roots

Ash

Oak

Ash

Maple

Lateral roots are dominant on

some species but native oaks

often have more oblique roots.

Ash

Lateral

Roots

Sinker

roots • Arise along lateral roots, typically

within the drip line, near the trunk

• Grow vertically, vary in length

• Active in water and mineral

absorption

• Provide anchorage

4. Sinker Roots

• Small diameter (up to 2 mm)

• Often near soil surface

• Branch many times to form

masses of thousands of roots

• Relatively short lived; some

develop into lateral roots

• Most water and mineral

absorption; large surface area

with root hairs

5. Fine Roots

Roots Find the Best Soil

Bed by

redwood

tree

Compost

holding

area

Fine Roots Under Mulch

Lateral Root Development from Fine Roots

Lateral roots develop from cut roots as well; variability

among species

Arise from trunks and branches

Adventitious Roots

Grape trunk hit

by lawn sprinkler

Air layering –

Rubber tree

Most roots are in surface 3 ft of soil. Uncommon for

trees to root to depths greater than 6 ft.

Deeper Rooting in Dry Areas

Engelmann oak (Q. engelmannii)

San Diego Co.

Blue oak (Q. douglasii)

Sacramento Co.

Roots have been found

up to 75 ft. deep

Avoiding Roots and Pipes

Pneumatic excavation

would have prevented

damage

4 ft.

Roots 12” below

soil surface

Root System of Mature Gingko Tree Considered Deep Rooted

Soil line

From E. Gilman

From root excavations:

Tree Protection Zone to Drip Line Is That Wide Enough?

!

Infrastructure Damage by Tree Roots

the good…

Tree-Based Strategies Matching Species with Planting Space

…the bad…

….the really bad

Fremont poplar

Surface Roots in Lawns

Sycamore

(London plane)

Liquidambar

the trend

Siting Your Tree Sacramento Tree Foundation

“Plant (large trees) at least 8 feet from

sidewalks and driveways, 15 feet (now 17 feet)

from home foundations and swimming pools,

and 6 feet from fences.”

Root Damage To Foundation Too?

Chinese hackberry

Root cut Drip line

Factors affecting impact: Size &

number of roots, species, age,

condition, proximity to trunk

Tree-Based Strategies Root Pruning

Structural Failure from Pruning Roots

Callery pear in

5’ x 5’ cutout

Magnolia in a 28’’

wide planting strip

Reducing Infrastructure Damage Provide Adequate Space for Trees

and even better

better

9 x 12 ft.

20 ft.

Curving

sidewalks Pop-Outs

Tree

Islands

Reducing Infrastructure Damage Grind Down the Concrete

● Liability issues with

raised sections

● Grinding temporary

– will continue to lift

Reducing Infrastructure Damage Root Barriers

Reducing Infrastructure Damage Root Barrier Problems

Roots also grow under

barrier, then up

Linear barrier installed

after root pruning Barrier

Roots under

concrete

Barrier Too Low!

Root-Control Devices

•Tend to be most effective in soils where

they are least needed:

In well-drained, non-compacted soils

•Tend to be least effective where most

needed:

Where poor soil aeration or compaction

encourages shallow rooting

Reducing Infrastructure Damage Structural Soil for Strength and Root Growth

Girdled Roots

Kinked and Twisted Roots

Straighten roots (preferable) or cut them

Pots to Direct Roots Downward

Causes and Effects of Unhealthy Roots

Tree Watering Basin

Dead roots

Root-Knot Nematodes

•Problem in sandy soils

•Plants stunted

Lettuce

Tomato

Root Diseases

Damping Off

of Seedlings

Fusarium Wilt

of Tomato

Root Rot of

Gerbera

Rhizoctonia Root Rot

Crown Gall -FOHC

•Bacteria enter at wounds

•Can come from nursery

•Stunts/kills tree

Oak Root Fungus Armellaria mellea

Rhizomorphs

(“Shoestring

fungus”)

ORF

Mushrooms

Phytophthora Crown & Root Rot

Peach

Avocado

Phytophthora Crown Rot

Drip emitters

(pink flags)

were never

moved away

from trunk

Questions?